Beitza 34b

1- We continued the discussion of the idea that Shabbos elevates/changes the status of a person and/or food.

Our Gemara is the source of all the resulting הלכות about the effect of Shabbos on the world.

The case discussed concerns the transition of harvested farm produce to the level of  טבל.

In order for produce to enter the stage of טבל, making it inedible until תרומות ומעשרות  have been given, it needs to be:

A- Brought into the house or courtyard.

B- Ready to eat.

If these two parameters are not present, then min Hatorah it is not טבל and one can eat these grains and fruits even as a full meal and Miderabonon only as a snack. For example – eating an apple as a snack in the orchard prior to giving תרומות ומעשרות would be permitted. For although a picked apple is considered ‘finished food’ it has not yet reached the house.  

2- Our Gemara states that on Shabbos (and perhaps Yom Tov too) fruit that is ready but still out in the field would not be permissible to eat, even as a snack, without first giving the תרומות ומעשרות.

Why?

Because due to the obligation to have עונג – enjoyment of food on Shabbos, the מצוה gives importance to the snack as if it is an ‘important meal’ – סעודת קבע. Therefore, these fruits, despite them still being out on the farm (never brought into the house) cannot be eaten, even after Shabbos (unless ones takes care of the  תרומות ומעשרות).

See below about עונג on Shabbos

[The Gemara’s question is if Shabbos would elevate non-processed food to be considered  פירות שנגמרה מלאכתן]

 

3- A direct result of this effect of Shabbos is the Halacha that one should not even drink water prior to Kiddush. Although drinking water is obviously not a סעודת קבע, nevertheless Shabbos give it importance. Pesachim 105a.

4- Another example: An Am Ha’aretz does not lie on Shabbos. Thus, if on Shabbos an AH claims that he gave Ma’aser from his fruit one can rely on his say so and is permitted to eat it.

Did you give maaser?

We mentioned the paradox that after Havdalah these fruits are not permitted to be eaten, unless Ma’aser is given……

5- The example we spoke about last week if eating a small amount of cake or cookies on Shabbos would obligate one to wash and bentch.

6- The example of the שפת אמת. Pesachim 35,b. Concerning the eating of Matzah on Pesach.

Matzah that is טבל one is not יוצא.

So if one has his סדר out on the farm, where the grain is not טבל yet, it would seem that he can be יוצא since grains on the farm are not טבל  as they have not arrived at the house. 

Seder on the cotton Farm

The שפת אמת, based on our Gemara, suggests that perhaps the Mitzvah of Matzah is קובע! Therefore the grain is indeed considered טבל.

We will discuss next week if eating in a Sukka also creates ‘importance’.

7- We concluded by learning the beginning of the  Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch in Hilchos Shabbos where he brings two opinions if eating fine food and dressing with clean clothes on Shabbos is מן התורה or  מדרבנן.